Colosseum Tour: Expert-Led Historical Journey

Immerse yourself in the history of ancient Rome with a guided morning skip-the-line tour of the Colosseum. Walk in the footsteps of gladiators and learn about the fascinating civilization that once thrived here.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 10 days
Highlights

Colosseum - Welcome to the Colosseum, one of the most iconic landmarks in the world! As you embark on this tour, you’ll be transported back in time to ancient Rome, where gladiators battled for glory and spectators cheered from the stands. As you approach the Colosseum, you’ll first notice its imposing exterior, a testament to the architectural…

What's Included
  • Entrance for Palatine Hill
  • Colosseum reservation fee (€2 per person)
  • Entrance for Roman Forum
  • Colosseum entrance ticket (€18 per person)
  • Expert local guide
  • Colosseum fees as above; remaining cost covers other services
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Our tour of the Colosseum stands out for its uniqueness due to the unparalleled expertise of our guides, all of whom are distinguished archaeologists or historians. Here are several reasons why our tour is exceptional.
In-depth Knowledge: Our guides possess extensive knowledge about the Colosseum, its construction, historical significance, and the events…

Location
Arch of Constantine
Via di San Gregorio
Meeting point at the Nord-Est corner of the Arch of Costantine (Between Colosseum) Looking for a Purple/Viole flag with the White logo ITALY PASS
Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 10 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 10 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(9 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Sandrabt2543xr
Jun 3, 2025
Perfect Shore Excursion, Smooth, Fun, and Fascinating! - We were a group of cruise passengers with limited time in Rome, and this tour fit perfectly into our schedule. Skipping the long lines was a game-changer, and our guide was not only knowledgeable but also super engaging. Everyone in our group—from history buffs to first-timers—loved it. Easy to find, well organized, and absolutely worth it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R2960mtmickh
Jun 3, 2025
A Walk Through Time With Zero Hassle! - I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this tour blew me away. Skipping the line felt like a VIP pass, and our guide turned ancient ruins into vivid stories. I left feeling like I’d actually met the gladiators. A must-do if you want more than just photos!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roahamh
Jun 3, 2025
History Comes Alive Inside the Colosseum - This tour was the highlight of our trip to Rome! Skipping the long lines saved us so much time, and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, bringing the history of the Colosseum to life with fascinating stories and insights. The pacing was perfect, allowing us to soak in the atmosphere without feeling rushed. Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting a deeper understanding of this iconic landmark.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C86rzmauricioa
Jun 2, 2025
A plunge into the past, with a guide who looked like Cato redivivus - We were a group of six friends visiting Rome, with high expectations but also the classic worry: “Will this be yet another tour with dates to memorize?” Spoiler: no, it was anything but. Our tour of the Colosseum Archaeological Park (Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine) was an immersive journey that seemed written by a filmmaker rather than a historian. The guide-Alexander, an archaeologist with an overwhelming gift of gab and the rare ability to make us see beyond the ruins-led us through centuries of history without ever losing the thread or our attention. He not only told us what was going on there, but what it must have been like to experience it: the noise of the crowds, the smell of iron and dust in the arena, the chatter in the Forum markets. He even managed to make us laugh by talking about corrupt senators from ancient Rome (apparently some things never change). We walked for three hours without realizing it, among anecdotes, curiosities and breathtaking scenery. The sunset seen from the Palatine left us all silent for a moment-and trust me, getting six California friends to shut up for more than 30 seconds is an epic feat. Dispassionate advice: if you can, take the tour with someone to share the wonder with. And choose a real guide, like ours. Because history, when it's alive, is no match for Netflix.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paulsp1471ao
May 31, 2025
Experience to do at least once in a lifetime! - A truly memorable tour! Entering the Colosseum from the gladiator entrance was exciting, and the guide (very knowledgeable!) made each stop interesting and engaging. The tour to the Roman Forum and Palatine was also excellent, with spectacular views and fascinating stories. Organization as it should be. Super recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jamesfr7194ee
May 30, 2025
"A fascinating journey through Ancient Rome!" - This tour was one of the highlights of our trip to Rome. Skipping the long lines was a huge plus—we got in quickly and started exploring right away. Our guide, Alessandra, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate. She brought the Colosseum to life with stories about gladiators, emperors, and everyday Roman life. The visit to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill added so much context to what we saw at the Colosseum. The ruins are breathtaking, and having a guide explain their significance made the experience even more meaningful. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to dive deep into Rome’s history without wasting time in queues.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I240bygabrielem
May 30, 2025
Fun and instructive - Intato I would like to thank Patrizia for being able to involve my children, the tour was really exciting. We first visited the Colosseum and then climbed the Palatine Hill and from there descended to the heart of the Roman Forum. For three hours we felt like we had taken a trip with the time machine. We suffered a bit from the heat, so I recommend to everyone a nice supply of water and a hat for the sun. An authentic immersion in Roman history, without the stress of waiting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
806annh
Oct 12, 2023
Book this tour and this guide! - Alessandro our guide was the most amazing guide I've ever had, anywhere. She brought the whole tour to life, getting us to take the part of the main characters (Julius Cesaer, Nero, Titus, Vespasian etc.) as she wove her account of the Colosseum and its history. I remembered so much more this way because it was not just about dates and places, she made it about people (who after all are the ones who make the history). The Colosseum is awesome.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jaime_c
May 28, 2025
Do not use! - Worst and most unprofessional company I have seen. We booked the tour for Tuesday they messaged me on Saturday asking if they could move the tour to Tuesday. I said yes we are booked on Tuesday. She then messages me back that it was a mistake on her part and they moved our tour to Monday. We did not arrive in town until after that time. I told them it would not work and we needed Tuesday and she said it was already changed to Monday and refused to change it back or refund our money. I sent them back the messages and still no apology they did not fix it and just told me they changed the date and that was it. Viator did refund us finally when emailed and sent the messages from the tour company who told Viator that we were no shows and would not refund. There are lots of great tour groups out there but avoid this one. Horrible!
Review provided by Viator